World Environment Day

The environment is something around which human beings live on. The beauty and the security that the environment gives us is something which even the mightiest of missiles and guns cannot provide. The environment provides human beings with things by which they can survive and function. So, when world environment day was celebrated in the month of June, we should cherish it. But, rather, there are signs that the environment around is dying. Human beings are indulging in Wanton destruction, and yet are going about their lives as if nothing has happened. In the World Environment day this year, there is an SOS to save the earth, rather than celebration of the environment.

Everywhere I go, I see photographs of the dramatic change in our environment. In places where Glaciers stood, there remains nothing but Barren hill strew with Rocks. In areas of Lush green Forests, there is nothing but barrenness, all due to the marauding forces of developmental economics. Under the guise of Development and Industrialization, the environment is suffering a slow and painful death. The pain comes not from the way it has been destructed, but from the complete lack of awareness among humans.

Animals and the diversity of animal species is also being targetted. The tiger could be no more in the coming decade, and Forests will soon consist not of Trees but concrete and metallic structures resembling a jungle. Gone will be the natural and the pureness of the air, but in its place will be the soot-filled pollutant of the factories and industries. The trees give Oxygen and Protection from the heat, the Chimneys of the factory give us deadly Carbon dioxide and unpleasent conditions to live.

Nations and all do not want to curb pollution, because it will affect the dynamics of economics. A clean and pure environment doesnt give money, but a polluting factory gives a lot of money and Jobs. Who does care about the environment? Very few individuals and Media outlets will raise a hue and cry when a natural calamity strikes. Media outlets and environmental groups will go overboard in saying that Unplanned development and pollution are responsible for the change in climate.

Everywhere we see, places are getting hotter, while floods become more pronounced and deadly. Everywhere, nature is churning out its elements in extremes, and yet unfortunately human beings find the will power to evolve out of it. Humans are getting cornered by the extreme ferocities of nature, and yet they remain fatally oblivious to this. Their life will be oriented along Money and other hedonistic materials, but they wont realize that their living is centered around a healthy environment.

Now, a timeline has been set wherein, we, the people of the earth, have 8 years to save the earth. By 2015, we have to save the earth, otherwise the earth will be doomed. Is the time-frame practical? For me, even 80 years is too little, for the extent of the damage that we have caused to the environment.

The Politics of developmental economics and its dynamics are such that it will always overlook sustainability of the environmental resources. Trees will be cut to allow more development of businesses. Political heads will say that Global Warming is all propoganda politics, and conviniently sweep it under the rug. Ordinary people will have a lot of things that worry them in many walks of life. Very few will burden themselves with the worry of the environment. Who will take the initiative? Gone are those days where a Captain Planet can come and conviniently and expectedly clean up the Polluters. Is there a Captain Planet within our souls? I guess not.

The thing which shook me up on environmental day was this barrage of visuals depicting the destruction of the environment. The visuals included floods, drought, hurricanes, pollution and the helplessness of the people trapped. The background music and song was that of Michael Jackson's "Earth Song: What have we done?". It was this song which stirred something in me, that our environment is in big trouble.

We have not done anything, and unlike life in celluloid and on TV, no superhero or song can come to save the environment. For us human beings, when everything in this environment comes to an end, only then we shall realize, "What have we done?" But, till then, the earth will continue its slow death, for people live on the planet of Money and Pleasure in today's time, not on Planet Earth